Where Should Illustrations Be Used in the Sermon?
The use of illustrations is an art, not a science. While it
is not an art that requires the preacher to be a
Michelangelo, it does require more ability than that of a
monkey throwing paint balloons at a canvas. Just as the
first task of the artist is to select the scene to be
painted, the first task of the preacher is to select an
illustration that both makes the point and appeals to the
hearers. Just as masterpieces have never been produced with
one swish of the brush, good illustrations are rarely the
product of the inspiration of the moment. The preacher
should test and perfect his illustrations by first
presenting them to his wife, child, or secretary. If the
illustration is good, there will be an immediate favorable
reaction. If the reaction is less than favorable, the
illustration should either be perfected or be discarded in
favor of another. To use less than a good illustration
detracts from the truth that is being taught.
Illustrations should be used in every portion of the
sermon. Illustrations in the sermon’s introduction may be
no more than “sound bites” designed to whet the hearers’
mental appetite for what follows. Illustrations in the
sermon’s conclusion help the hearer to remember what has
been said. The most important illustrations, however, may
be those used in the sermon’s body where the
life-sustaining nutrients should be found. While the
difference between a well illustrated sermon and a sermon
having either poor or no illustrations is similar to the
difference between obtaining necessary nutrients through a
delicious meal or through vitamin pills, it is not the
same. Nutrients can be obtained through vitamin pills. When
the hearer has “turned off” the preacher, the hearer can
starve to death in the midst of nutrients.
Because properly illustrating a sermon is a difficult task,
and using illustrations well is even harder, some refuse to
use them. Instead of applying themselves to learn how to
prepare and use illustrations effectively, they eliminate
illustrations, criticize those who use them, and belittle
hearers who appreciate them. Failure to use illustrations
is not a sign of intellectual surrender. To the contrary,
failure to use illustrations is a sign of intellectual
lethargy and indifference to the hearers. The use of
illustrations affirms that the preacher places a priority
on the hearer’s understanding. Illustrations permit the
hearers to “see” with their minds. Hearers can tell from
the illustrations whether a sermon is practical. The
preacher’s illustrations will indicate whether the preacher
is kind and discriminating, or whether he lacks those
qualities. Neither propositions alone nor illustrations
alone can bridge the gap between generations, much less
centuries. Illustrations without propositions have no
framework; propositions without illustrations often have no
meaning. Together they make truth accessible and
comprehensible.
The best preaching never addresses the intellect alone or
the emotions alone. Man is both an intellectual and an
emotional creature. Illustrations that address the
intellect through the emotions address the hearers as the
scripture addresses them. The aim of preaching is not just
to explain or define. Preaching also aims to implore
hearers to believe what God said and to do what God
commanded. What good is explanation without purpose or
motivation?
Christianity is incarnational. Preaching should be as well.
Ideas and propositions should be clothed in the flesh of
illustrations.